COLLEGE LIQUOR LICENSES S.B. 789 (S-1):

SUMMARY AS PASSED BY THE SENATE

Senate Bill 789 (Substitute S-1 as passed by the Senate)

Sponsor: Senator Jeff Irwin

Committee: Regulatory Affairs

Date Completed: 4-11-24

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Liquor Control Code to allow the Ferris Building at Grand Rapids and the Eisler Center at Big Rapids, instead of the Conference Center at Big Rapids, the Applied Technology Center at Grand Rapids, and the FSU GR Conference Center, to sell alcohol at scheduled conference center activities. It also would allow the Liquor Control Commission to issue a license to a restaurant on land owned by Eastern Michigan University (EMU) under specified circumstances.

The Code allows the Commission to issue to the governing board of a college or university a license to sell alcoholic liquor for consumption on the premises of a conference center operated by the governing board at regularly scheduled conference activities.

The Code lists specific buildings that are considered conference centers on specific university campuses, including the Conference Center at Big Rapids, the Applied Technology Center at Grand Rapids, and the FSU GR Conference Center of Ferris State University. The bill would remove references to the Conference Center at Big Rapids, the Applied Technology Center at Grand Rapids, and the FSU GR Conference Center and replace those references with the Woodbridge N. Ferris Building at Grand Rapids and the David L. Eisler Center at Big Rapids.

Additionally, the bill would allow the Commission to issue a license to a private entity for the sale of alcoholic liquor for consumption on the licensed premises of a restaurant located on land owned by EMU if the following circumstances existed:

-- The land was leased or subleased at fair market value to a private entity that owned, leased, or subleased the licensed premises for the operation of a restaurant.

-- The restaurant was located within an area designated for industrial, research, or commercial development by the governing board of EMU.

-- The license was originally acquired on the open market at fair market value.

BRIEF RATIONALE

According to testimony, the Commission has denied liquor licenses for conference centers not specifically named in statute. Because the conference center currently named in statute is no longer used, it has been suggested that the statute should name the currently used conference center and that a liquor license be approved for a restaurant on EMU's campus.

MCL 436.1513

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Analyst: Nathan Leaman

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.